Gillibrand Aides, Miss NY Advocate For Gay Marriage

Members of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand staff and Miss New York Claire Buffie will join advocates from around the state today in lobbying state senators for the legalization of same-sex marriage.

“We have a new governor in office who has not only made the commitment to our community and to New York State to pass marriage equality, but he said he’d like to have it done this year,” said Ron Zacchi, executive director of Marriage Equality New York. “With this statement, its urgent New Yorkers put their time and energy to have it pass in New York State this year.”

“…There are 26 pro-marriage equality votes in the state Senate. (That’s) two more than there were when a marriage equality bill was struck down in late 2009. The state Assembly has passed the marriage equality bill three times, so Senate Republicans remain crucial.”

Advocates are targeting Sens. Roy McDonald and Betty Little as potential GOP “yes” votes. (Remember that no Republicans voted “yes” when the bill died in the Senate two years ago).

Gov. Andrew Cuomo supports gay marriage and said during the campaign that it would be a priority of his first year in office. Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos said last October that he thinks the bill should come to the floor for an up-or-down vote, but he has so far shown no sign of moving the measure.

Gillibrand has made gay rights – including the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” – a focus since she inherited former Sen. Hillary Clinton’s seat in January 2009 as a means to demonstrate her liberal cred to skeptical progressives who were worried by her Blue Dog days in the House.